By Martyn Gregory and Phil Lane

Martyn Gregory and Phil Lane, who lead Deloitte's corporate finance advisory team in the South and Wales, consider how relationships are at the heart of businesses building back better and look back at some of their recent deal activity.

For many businesses, navigating the last 12 months has been the biggest challenge they have experienced and has tested their resilience. Business leaders have had to prioritise their focus on revenue and cost but also, crucially, their people. Our clients tell us they are still feeling the impact today, but we are also seeing the market start to shift and that businesses across the South West and Wales are emerging once more ready to thrive.

Strong relationships, combined with deep local market knowledge and connections, has helped Deloitte's South & Wales M&A team to support our clients and assess the right opportunities for them. We are proud to have helped our clients make a great start to 2021 and recently completed five deals in five weeks. 

Five recent deals

Clarks

We’re proud to have supported this long‑standing client and iconic British brand on its refinancing through investment from LionRock Capital as it moves towards its 200th anniversary.

ADEY

A great result for this valued client with whom we have built a trusted advisor relationship over a number of years. We’re delighted that we were able to support the board and advise the management team on the sale to Polypipe Group plc.

Western Global

It was a privilege to have the opportunity to work with such an experienced, high‑performing management team. We were able to combine expertise from across our firm to support their sale to MML and deliver a fantastic result.

SelectScience

We brought together an integrated, multi‑disciplinary team to advise the senior management team on the terms of the sale to Vespa Capital LLP. Our track record of successfully supporting management teams during buyouts stood us in good stead and we were delighted to have been recommended to the business.

Incorporatewear

Our strong global M&A credentials, international buyer network and experience of divestments by global corporates were cited as reasons for our selection as lead advisor to the business. Incorporatewear was ultimately acquired by Direct Corporate Clothing plc, who will further develop its capability across its longstanding customer base.

 

Building back better

Despite the on-going pandemic and economic uncertainty, the UK deal market remains buoyant and confirms there is still an appetite for investment in UK businesses from both overseas and domestic investors. We know private equity firms are ready to invest, and through our national and international contacts we have been able to help our clients to not only realise the best value for their business, but also ensure we find the right partner with the same ambitions and who are committed to driving future growth.

We’re committed to supporting the South West and Wales to build back better and look forward to supporting many more businesses this year.

Connect with us

Deloitte's corporate financial advisory team provides financial advice and insight at every stage of a transaction – from consideration of the strategic options to transaction execution, be it an IPO, acquisition or divestment, restructuring or fast track disposal.

Please get in with either of us if you'd like to find out more about how we can help you and your business.